Recent News

The two-year grant has ended that funded Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program for Garvin County children, and Smart Start South Central is looking for local “champions” to keep the program going and the books coming to the youngsters.

Smart Start South Central (SSSC) provided the program through a grant from Chesapeake Energy Corporation. The Imagination Library has sent a free, age-appropriate book each month to any Garvin County child who registered, up to age 5. About 190 Garvin County children currently receive books in the mail once a month.

Cindy Adams of Sulphur, an instructor of business and information technology at the Southern Oklahoma Technology Center in Ardmore, has been named the 2012 National Teacher of the Year by the Association for Career and Technical Education.

The award recognizes educators who have made significant contributions toward innovative, unique and novel programs that are serving to improve and promote career and technical education.

A traveling exhibition of works by living Oklahoma artists will be open to the public through Jan. 31 in East Central University’s Pogue Art Gallery.

The exhibition, “24 Works on Paper,” is a collaboration between Individual Artists of Oklahoma (IAO) and the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC). It is traveling the state for a full year, bringing original, contemporary Oklahoma artwork to viewers in communities large and small.

Two area legislators received awards Monday [JAN. 9] in recognition of their continued support of higher education.

Dr. Glen D. Johnson, chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, presented the 2011 Distinguished Service Award to state Rep. Todd Thomsen of Ada and ECU alumnus and state Rep. Wes Hilliard of Sulphur during a ceremony at East Central University.

“These individuals each year, frankly, have distinguished themselves through their courage and leadership (in support of higher education),” Johnson said.

An Addiction and Recovery Conference to be held Jan. 19 and 20 [THURSDAY-FRIDAY] at East Central University will focus on current issues, trends and strategies in the field of substance abuse and offer information on addiction recovery, treatment and prevention.

The workshop will be presented by ECU’s Brandon Whitten Institute for Addiction & Recovery.

State Rep. Todd Thomsen of Ada and Rep. Wes Hilliard of Sulphur will receive 2011 Distinguished Service Awards in Ada Monday [JAN. 9] from Dr. Glen D. Johnson, chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.

The awards will recognize Thomsen’s and Hilliard’s continued support for higher education.

Johnson will present the awards at 3:30 p.m. in the Lockmiller Lobby of the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center. ECU President John Hargrave will represent the Council of College and University Presidents. The public is invited.

East Central University's mission is to foster a learning environment in which students, faculty, staff, and communityinteract to educate students for life in a rapidly changing and culturally diverse society. Within its service area,East Central University provides leadership for economic development and cultural enhancement.